AN animal lover has curated his favourite photos from a popular zoo to create a calendar to raise money for the attraction. 

Steven Hardy, from Witham, is an avid visitor to Colchester Zoo and regularly takes incredible photos of animals there.

For the last two years, he has put together a calendar using his favourite photos, with all money raised going back to the Maldon Road attraction.

Steven published his first zoo calendar amid fears the site could be forced to close permanently due to the pandemic.

Doing the project through his sheer love of photography and the zoo itself, Steven has raised hundreds in the last two years.

“I wasn’t even planning on doing them this year, but I had about 15 people messaging me asking if I was, so I thought why not”, Steven said.

“I had one lady mention her grandkids love the calendars, she has got them the last couple of years and already ordered again this time.

“It was nice to see people enjoy them and I am looking forward to doing it again.”

Steven said this year’s this calendar will feature new animals and photos, and that he hopes to match his previous two years.

He said: “Because I have done it for the last couple of years, I tried to use new animals and be different to the past, my partner helped to choose.

“When taking the photos there are some I take which I know are good and keep in the back of my mind.

“I love to always improve but to match the last two years is the main aim.”

Calendars can be purchased at bit.ly/3SIcbjN.